Entrepreneurship and innovation in the Greek regions: an empirical investigation in Thessaly

Abstract

This paper analyses the adjustment and prospects of the productive and innovative system of the region of Thessaly in Greece. The analysis is based on a business survey conducted in Thessaly, inquiring into the patterns and changes in the innovative activity of industrial firms. The analysis focuses on the role of the internal and external environment, specialisation, human resources and inter-firm relations. Our findings reveal the difficulties of peripheral economies to innovate and compete in an increasingly open and demanding environment and as such they have important implications for regional innovation policy.